Have Kids, Will Travel: Weekend in Wichita

 My kids and I are on a quest to visit all 50 states. 

So when I found out that Wichita, Kansas, is only 5.5 hours from Arlington, I knew it was the perfect weekend escape for my crew. 

A quick internet search about Wichita gave me these bits of info about Kansas' largest city.

~Wichita is located in south central Kansas, where the Little and Big Arkansas Rivers meet. It is about 160 miles north of Oklahoma City. 

~Wichita is nicknamed the "Air Capital of the World" because several major airplane manufacturers have facilities there, including Airbus and Learjet. 

~Wichita is home to the largest airport in Kansas. 

I grew up in the Midwest, so I'm pretty partial to the downhome feel of those middle-of-the-country states. (Although I'm also a Missouri Tiger, and this gives me mixed feelings about all things Kansas!) I love the weather in the Midwest (Summers aren't as hot as in Texas and Winters aren't as mild), and my kids delighted in the fact that there was still a small amount of snow on the ground upon arrival in Kansas. We all took an instant liking to the place!

I had never been to Kansas before this visit to Wichita, meaning I was seeing the state and landscape for the first time alongside my kiddos  Together we explored downtown, shopped for treasures at Lucinda's, ate so much yummy food at Chicken N Pickle, hung out with the animals at the zoo and so much more! We also can't say enough good things about our hotel, the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview. 

The EA definitely recommends putting Wichita on your schedule for a fun summer road trip. To get to Wichita, you hop on I-35 and drive north for about 375 miles. Plan to stop near Stillwater at the Cowboy Travel Plaza to gas up and let the kiddos stretch and play on the indoor pirate ship play area! A four-day weekend should give you plenty of time to explore the best of Wichita and get a feel for the city that considers itself the Heart of the Country!

Must-Visit Spots in Wichita

Exploration Place- This wonderful science spot along the Arkansas River is a kid's happy place. Study aviation, play in a medieval play area, experience high winds in the wind tunnel, learn about the Plains, test your skills as a guitarist and more. This spot is hours of fun for kids! I love when learning and fun combine for the ultimate afternoon. 

The Museum of World Treasures- This is a fascinating spot for older kids (I would recommend for 10 and up). Learn about the United States' Presidents, see relics from many of the great wars the US has been involved in, see ancient artifacts from long-gone civilizations and so much more. There is a kids' play area on the third floor that looked fun but was closed during our visit. The rest of the museum was interesting for my fifth grader and me, but my other two girls (8 and 7) weren't quite as enthralled.

Sedgwick County Zoo- observe almost 400 species of animals at this zoo, the seventh largest in the country. Get up close with farm animals, walk through the Rainforest exhibit, learn about multiple venomous snakes (I skipped this part!) and so much more at this animal sanctuary. We especially loved seeing the tigers!

Botanica-  In the summer, stroll the gorgeous gardens and ride the carousel. In the winter, stroll through the Illuminations display, which will make you feel as though you've stepped onto the set of a Hallmark movie. The gardens even have a great gift shop with some absolute gems, so don't forget your wallet!

Kansas Aviation Museum- This is honestly one of those spots that pleasantly surprised me. We are an airline family (my husband helps build fighter jets, my brother is a pilot and my mom is a flight attendant!), so airplanes fascinate us. While I was personally interested in exploring aircrafts from yesteryear, I really didn't think this museum would hold the girls' interest very long. Well, I love being wrong! This museum has a kids' area on the second floor that allows kids to simulate flying planes, work in a control tower and more. We spent hours learning and playing. Plus, this spot is free for kids 12 and younger and their adult chaperones Fridays before noon through the end of 2020! Don't underestimate this spot- its as fun as it is educational and fascinating!

Where to Eat in Wichita

I'm not sure if I should admit how much I like to eat, honestly. But there is certainly something fun on vacation about finding spots that locals love. We tried out three places we would definitely frequent if we lived in ICT!

Chicken N Pickle- Let me just start by saying we spent more than $150 and 6 hours (spread over two days) at this destination restaurant and playground! This spot has an ice rink and pickleball courts, as well as life-size versions of some of your favorite games, including Battleship. Order a chicken sandwich or the chicken and waffles, grab a drink and spend an afternoon playing and relaxing. We are getting one of these in Grand Prairie next year, and guys... Just try to beat me there!

Picassos Pizzeria- This is a spot where you get some serious bang for your buck! Snag a pizza slice bigger than your head for less than $10. I highly recommend the BBQ chicken slice. So. Good. The kids' menu is super affordable and sure to fill up and delight even your pickiest eaters! Plus it's next door to a cute local boutique to grab some souvenirs. 

Bite Me BBQ- Unfussy local barbeque at great prices! My middle daughter actually ordered the fish tacos (because I always have one who likes to be difficult) but we all found something on this menu to fill our bellies, and we all went home happy! I'm a huge fan of BBQ turkey sandwiches from barbeque joints and this one did not disappoint.

Must-Stop Shops for your Weekend in Wichita

The Nifty Nuthouse- If you, like me, have a wicked sweet tooth, you won't want to skip The Nifty Nuthouse! This locally-owned shopped, a Wichita staple since 1937, has everything you need to gift or enjoy yourself. From nuts of all flavors to gum and unique gifts to savory treats, The Nifty Nuthouse is the candy shop you dreamed about as a kid. We visited during a busy time but had plenty of friendly employees standing by ready to help us!

Lucinda's- This great spot in Wichita's Old Town is sure to have something for everyone you are shopping for! From pretty bracelets to cheeky coasters and local t-shirts to kid's gifts, this shop was fun to visit (and even more fun to drop some dollars at)! We found trinkets for several people on my Christmas list, and the girls found a few goodies to remind them of our trip as well!

Bungalow 26- If you are a lotions and potions girl like I am, don't skip this shop! This gorgeous spot, located near Picasso's Pizzeria, has tons of locally-made wares and trinkets to bring a piece of Kansas back to Texas with you! I may not be a Wichita native, but I loved all the candles that boasted the various neighborhoods that make up the city. They all smelled so good!

We didn't make it to the Great Plains Transportation Museum or the Old Cowtown Museum, or a host of other spots that looked equally fun! Wichita really is a great spot to escape to for a weekend away from DFW. It's affordable, driveable and great for all ages. 

If you need more information on Wichita, visit Visit Wichita for inspiration!

*Please note: parts of my trip were sponsored or hosted by Visit Wichita. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Have Kids, Will Travel: Must Be Memphis!

Let's be honest. 

Traveling with kids isn't always easy.

And it certainly isn't cheap.

But I love to kids. And I have kids and will travel. I will get in the car and road trip anywhere. When people ask me where my favorite place I've been is I always answer "someplace I have yet to visit!" (Followed by Paris. I LOVE Paris). 

So I decided to start with easy-to-tackle weekend trips with my girls. Places that were driveable and offered a change of scenery.

When a quick Apple Maps search of Memphis showed me that Justin Timberlake's old stomping grounds were a mere seven hours from Arlington, I couldn't wait to hop in the car and just go! 

Memphis, here we come!

Memphis!

Fast Facts About Memphis:

-Memphis is in the southwest corner of Tennessee, just across the Mighty Mississippi from Arkansas. 

-Memphis has a population of 1.3 million people, making it Tennessee's second most populous city.

-Memphis, TN, was named after Memphis, Egypt. 

-Memphis is home to Elvis' famed Graceland and the site of Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1968 assassination. 

-Memphis is best known for it's music scene. It is well-known for the Blues, shaped by a mix of musical influences including country, rock and roll, soul and hip hop. 

-Memphis is home to Beale Street, a street well-versed in musical history.

Planning a Weekend in the Home of the Blues with Kids!

I worked with Memphis Tourism to plan my weekend away in this fun city in Tennessee's southwest corner. The Tourism Board suggested I check the zoo, the Civil Rights Museum, the Peabody Ducks, Sun Studios, Beale Street and, of course, Graceland! We also checked out Shelby Farms and the Bass Pro shop located inside the Memphis Pyramid, which is home to the country's largest free-standing elevator (how is that for random-fact Friday?). We feasted on Memphis barbeque and brunched at Memphis' oldest café, Arcade, and stayed at the fabulous Hotel Napoleon downtown. The views of the Mighty Mississippi from downtown were pretty fabulous. Memphis is a fun city!

Places to Visit in Memphis

Memphis Zoo & Aquarium

The Memphis Zoo is gorgeous and located on 76 acres in Memphis' Overton Park. It has more than 3500 animals and opened in 1906. We loved that the zoo incorporated so many animals, from farm animals (donkeys, chickens) to cold-weather animals (penguins, polar bears), and so many more. Our favorites were the playful hippo and the sneaky red panda, who spent our whole visit high up in a tree above us (and took us forever to find!). This time of year, the zoo also does a big Zoo Lights display to celebrate the holidays. 

The National Civil Rights Museum

The National Civil Rights Museum is one of those places you visit and it changes your world view. I got a perspective on the history of the US that I wasn't necessarily taught in school. I was engaged from the time I walked through the doors of this museum, and I wish every person in the US could spend time here learning about our nation's past. The museum is built around the Lorraine Motel, the spot where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. My kids were fascinated by this fact because they have studied MLK so much in school. The next time you're in Memphis, don't skip this museum. 

Sun Studios

Honestly, I'm not a huge music buff. Although my dad is a big fan of Johnny Cash and Elvis, I grew up loving typically 80s and 90s music. Sun Studios wasn't a spot I was just dying to see. It sits on an unassuming corner, and we visited on a cold, rainy day. Immediately inside the doors to the studio is gift shop with loads of memorabilia from the studio that put Elvis on the map. The tour, however, was so very worth it... Even my kids loved it (although kids younger than 5 are not allowed). The entire tour is about an hour and gives you the history of how Elvis was discovered and some insight into the recordings of the Million-Dollar Quarter in the 50s. The girls walked away with guitar picks, stickers and a lot of knowledge about Elvis for kids their age!

Beale Street

"Walking in Memphis. Walking with my feet 10 feet off of Beale." Marc Cohn, Walking in Memphis

Beale Street is one of those American walkways famous for its history and its party ways. Grab a drink and see the famous goat at Silky O'Sullivans. Shop for souvenirs and enjoy some ice cream at A. Schwab's, Beale Street's longest-operating business. Take a walking tour with BackBeat Tours to learn all about the people and stories that put Beale Street on the map. Fun fact- did you know that B.B. King, who got his start in Memphis, was born Riley King, and B.B. stood for the Beale Street Blues Boy, shortened to B.B.? 

Graceland

The iconic home of the King himself, Elvis Presley, is a must-do when in Memphis. You can tour the first floor of the mansion as well as the grounds, his private airplanes and all the store fronts with his various outfits and musical memorabilia through the years. You can also grab food onsite and tons and tons of incredible souvenirs. The tours are self-guided with tablets (and narrated by John Stamos!) and are fun for all ages. My kids loved seeing the mansion, which hasn't been updated since Elvis died in 1977. It was even decorated for the holidays during our visit!

The Peabody Ducks

This simple tradition will delight your children! Stop by the Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis daily at 11 am or 5 pm to see the Duck Master march the ducks to and from the elevator that goes to and from the ducks' rooftop sanctuary. It's a fun tradition to behold. Then shop for souvenirs at the shops within the hotel. They have cute non-glass wine glasses, just sayin'...

Bass Pro Shop

Visiting the Bass Pro Shop in Memphis was honestly a spur-of-the-moment decision. You see the big glass pyramid that is now home to Bass Pro on the banks of the Mississippi as you drive into Memphis from the west, and you initially think- huh? It turns out the pyramid wasn't built to be a Bass Pro Shop but, well, here we are! Bass Pro opened its doors there in 2016, and this location is so unique! Kids can see alligators and fish, as well as Santa in the winter. There is also a hotel built into the pyramid, as well as the country's highest free-standing elevator. We took the elevator up and walked out on the glass overlook, modeled after the overlook at the Grand Canyon. The views of Memphis were stunning! We recommend a stop here for the sheer oddness of it!

Where to Eat in Memphis

You can't visit Memphis and not eat barbeque! But honestly, the city has so many great places to eat it's hard to know where to start! Here are a few of our favorite places.

Central BBQ

Casual BBQ with multiple locations. I had the pulled chicken and baked beans and loved it! Very yummy. I also had a Wiseacre Beer, from a local brewery in Memphis, and thought it was just what my Saturday night needed!

Corky's BBQ

This spot came highly recommended by multiple friends so I knew we had to check it out. I haven't eaten beef in decades, but I was the only person in my party of five who didn't eat the beef, and there wasn't a scrap left after the meal if that tells you anything! Everyone is my party gave their sandwiches two thumbs up. I can attest that the pulled chicken was amazing!

Rendezvous BBQ

We actually didn't visit Rendezvous on this trip- we ran out of time! I ate there years ago, though, and loved it. The restaurant is tucked away downtown and truly a Memphis staple. Yum!

Arcade Restaurant

Memphis' oldest café was as charming as it was delicious! We had brunch on a busy Sunday and loved the ambiance and busyness of the joint. The food was typical diner fare and the coffee bottomless- my favorite kind of brunch spot! This spot is a Memphis icon and a place you must visit when you roadtrip to Memphis! 

There were so many more spots we never made it to in Memphis... The Children's Museum came recommended by friends. And Shelby Farms Park has lots of outdoor activities to partake, although the playground was closed during our visit because of Covid. The Pink Palace Museum was also on our list of places to visit before we ran out of time! 

Memphis is a great, easy spot to drive to from DFW to teach your kids about American history. There is plenty to do for a long weekend away that will leave you happy you decided to travel to Tennessee!

*please note- Memphis Tourism hosted me for my trip. Parts of my trip were paid for by the tourism board although all thoughts and opinions are my own.*